Results 441-460 of 4,700 for speaker:Noel Ahern
- Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)
Noel Ahern: However, there is currently no legal provision for a proper organisational structure for the board. The law essentially provides for an ad hoc arrangement for the secondment of staff from the Department. Having regard to the emerging scale of the fund, and the independence of the board, such an arrangement is not tenable. Under current arrangements, the chairperson of the board is accountable...
- Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)
Noel Ahern: This avoids bureaucracy and enables informed decision-making, consistent with public policy priorities.
- Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)
Noel Ahern: The current structure is not good enough and must be dealt with.
- Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)
Noel Ahern: It minimises spending on administration and maximises funding for those who need it most. For this reason, the Government has decided against setting up a new organisation. Instead, the Bill provides that the Government will in future decide on disbursements from the fund, but following a public application process and within a framework of transparency and process set out in law. The...
- Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)
Noel Ahern: I believe these arrangements demonstrate the Government's commitment to a structured, transparent and effective board. Transparency in decision-making on disbursements from the fund is critically important. Concerns have been raised as to the extent to which the changes in this regard may adversely affect the focus and impact of spending from the fund. Recognising this, the Government has...
- Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)
Noel Ahern: A statement containing details of the approvals will be laid before the Oireachtas and a list setting out the approved measures and projects, and specifying the amounts to be disbursed, will be published within one month.
- Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)
Noel Ahern: These rigorous and extensive measures confirm the Government's absolute commitment to ensure that decisions on the fund are informed by the public interest, accessible to public application and fully subject to public scrutiny. These are the important criteria. I should also mention that the Bill provides for separate recording of dormant accounts spending through the Votes of Departments....
- Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)
Noel Ahern: Following its establishment in June 2002, the board developed a draft disbursements plan that established the framework within which disbursements from the fund would be approved. Since December 2003, the disbursements board has approved 58 projects to the tune of â¬6.4 million. Money from the fund is being spent on a wide range of projects and activities across diverse geographical areas,...
- Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)
Noel Ahern: The Minister will be responsible for appointing board members, all of whom must have knowledge or experience of matters relevant to the board's functions. All existing disbursement board members are eligible for re-appointment to the new board. The terms of office of board members are set at a maximum of five years for the chairperson and three years for other members. Other provisions...
- Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)
Noel Ahern: Spending thresholds may be applied to particular programmes or projects. Subsequent to Government approval of the proposal, the Minister, following a public process of invitations for applications, will recommend for funding a list of programmes or projects that have been assessed by, or on behalf of, public bodies. In addition to this process, and as previously provided for under the...
- Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)
Noel Ahern: The new board's report will reflect the change in functions from those of the former board. Also reflecting the changed role of the board, section 10 removes the accountability of the chairperson of the new board to the Committee of Public Accounts. The chairperson of the former board will remain accountable to the committee in respect of decisions of that board. The new board will have power...
- Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)
Noel Ahern: The Government is committed to ensuring the new dormant accounts board is enabled to fulfil its role as an independent planner and critical appraiser, and the responsibilities set out for it in this Bill demonstrate the Government's commitment to a structured, transparent and effective board. Furthermore, the Government has provided for a range of rigorous measures in the Bill to secure...
- Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)
Noel Ahern: The Bill will assist the State in using the resources available to it in a more focused and effective way for the purpose of tackling severe disadvantage. I commend the Bill to the House.
- Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)
Noel Ahern: The Senators are winding up Senator Leyden.
- Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)
Noel Ahern: I hear what the Senators are saying but I do not know if they listened to me. I tried to listen to everything that was saidââ
- Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)
Noel Ahern: I am talking about all the speakers, not necessarily Senator Finucane, who spoke over the past two hours. It was interesting to hear the Senators' different perspectives, and I thank them for those, but the Senator zoned in on one interpretation of a particular aspect. Several Members said all the money belongs to the people and that is correct. Whether it is this fund or general taxation...
- Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)
Noel Ahern: The money from the insurance fund turned out to be less than what some people were forecasting. People are claiming back money and from now on the money that comes in will not be as old, so to speak. There is a possibility that more of it will be claimed back. A total of â¬30 million was allocated and decisions on 58 applications have been made to date, totalling â¬6.4 million. On Senator...
- Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)
Noel Ahern: It is important that spending from the fund is linked with the Government policy priorities andââ
- Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)
Noel Ahern: A proper accounting system exists for all Secretaries General and it is important to use that structure. This fund is a large one and not just confined to â¬1 million or â¬2 million. The Government could have established a new empire to tie everything down. However, it would then be accused of creating a duplicate Civil Service with jobs for the boys. There are serious difficulties ahead...
- Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)
Noel Ahern: It will be transparent. Public policy and proper governance demand that the system is properly controlled. ADM Limited, referred to by Senator McHugh, is not a God Almighty organisation but a body which is used by the board to process applications in accordance with criteria already laid down.